Electronic devices and corresponding methods for unlocking displays as a function of a device geometric form factor

ABSTRACT

One or more sensors of an electronic device detect a geometric form factor of the electronic device. A fingerprint sensor situated beneath a first display of the electronic device receives fingerprint data. One or more processors authenticate an authorized user of the electronic device using the fingerprint data with one or more processors. The one or more processors select between the first display and a second display of the electronic device as a function of the geometric form factor and unlock the selected display in response to authenticating the authorized user of the electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority andbenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 17/203,616,filed Mar. 16, 2021, which is incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to electronic devices having displays.

Background Art

Portable electronic communication devices such as smartphones and tabletcomputers have become ubiquitous. People all over the world use suchdevices to stay connected.

These devices have been designed in various mechanical configurations. Afirst configuration, known as a “candy bar,” is generally rectangular inshape and has a rigid form factor with a continually exposed displaypositioned on a major face of the electronic device. By contrast, a“clamshell” device has a mechanical hinge that allows one housing topivot relative to the other, thereby concealing its display when closedand revealing the same when open.

Some consumers prefer candy bar devices, while others prefer clamshelldevices. To satisfy the latter, it would thus be desirable to have animproved clamshell device with a user interface simplifying control ofits display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates one explanatory electronic device configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates one explanatory method in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates one or more explanatory method steps in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates one or more explanatory method steps in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates one or more explanatory method steps in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates still another explanatory method in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another explanatory electronic device in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent disclosure, it should be observed that the embodiments resideprimarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus componentsrelated to controlling a first display of an electronic device using afingerprint sensor situated beneath another display of the electronicdevice. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should beunderstood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code thatinclude one or more executable instructions for implementing specificlogical functions or steps in the process.

Alternate implementations are included, and it will be clear thatfunctions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed,including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending onthe functionality involved. Accordingly, the apparatus components andmethod steps have been represented where appropriate by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure do not recite the implementation of anycommonplace business method aimed at processing business information,nor do they apply a known business process to the particulartechnological environment of the Internet. Moreover, embodiments of thedisclosure do not create or alter contractual relations using genericcomputer functions and conventional network operations. Quite to thecontrary, embodiments of the disclosure employ methods that, whenapplied to electronic device and/or user interface technology, improvethe functioning of the electronic device itself by and improving theoverall user experience to overcome problems specifically arising in therealm of the technology associated with electronic device userinteraction.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions of receiving fingerprintdata with a fingerprint sensor situated beneath a first display of anelectronic device, authenticating an authorized user of the electronicdevice using the fingerprint data, selecting between the first displayand a second display as a function of a geometric form factor of theelectronic device, and unlocking the selected display in response toauthenticating the authorized user as described herein. Thenon-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radioreceiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, powersource circuits, and user input devices.

As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method toperform unlocking a second display when a fingerprint sensor situatedbeneath a first display receives fingerprint data authenticating anauthorized user of the electronic device while a first device housingand a second device housing are in an axially displaced open position asdescribed below. Alternatively, some or all functions could beimplemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions,or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), inwhich each function or some combinations of certain of the functions areimplemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the twoapproaches could be used.

Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstandingpossibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, forexample, available time, current technology, and economicconsiderations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosedherein will be readily capable of generating such software instructionsand programs and ASICs with minimal experimentation.

Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring tothe drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims, the followingterms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relationalterms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or actionwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities or actions.

As used herein, components may be “operatively coupled” when informationcan be sent between such components, even though there may be one ormore intermediate or intervening components between, or along theconnection path. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within tenpercent, in another embodiment within five percent, in anotherembodiment within 1 percent and in another embodiment within one-halfpercent. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected,although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicatecomponents shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. Forexample, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A wouldrefer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than figure A.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide electronic devices andcorresponding methods that allow for the control of one display using afingerprint sensor situated beneath another display as a function ofdevice geometry. In one or more embodiments, a method in an electronicdevice includes detecting a geometric form factor of the electronicdevice, be it a closed position, an axially displaced open position, oranother position, using one or more sensors. A fingerprint sensorsituated beneath a first display of the electronic device then receivesfingerprint data. One or more processors of the electronic device thenattempt to authenticate the fingerprint data to determine whether thesource of the fingerprint data is an authorized user of the electronicdevice.

Where the source is an authorized user of the electronic device, in oneor more embodiments the one or more processors select between the firstdisplay and the second display of the electronic device as a function ofthe geometric form factor. If, for example, the electronic device is inthe closed position, in one or more embodiments the one or moreprocessors select the first display. By contrast, if the electronicdevice is in the axially displaced open position, in one or moreembodiments the one or more processors select the second display.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors then unlock theselected display in response to authenticating the authorized user ofthe electronic device. Advantageously, for clamshell-type electronicdevices, a fingerprint sensor can be positioned beneath a displaysituated on the exterior of the electronic device such that the displayis always exposed regardless of the geometric form factor of theelectronic device. When the electronic device is in the closed position,an authorized user of the electronic device can deliver fingerprint datato the continually exposed display, and thus to the fingerprint sensor,to unlock the exposed display. However, when the electronic device is inthe axially displaced open position with a second display revealed, theauthorized user can deliver fingerprint data to the first display tounlock the second display.

In one or more embodiments, an electronic device includes a first devicehousing that is pivotable relative to a second device housing between aclosed position and an axially displaced open position. In one or moreembodiments, a first display is coupled to the first device housing suchthat the first display is exposed both when the first device housing andthe second device housing are in the closed position and when the firstdevice housing and the second device housing are in the axiallydisplaced open position. In one or more embodiments, this first displayis known as a “quick view display” in that it can be used to providequick information that is available at a glance to users without theneed of pivoting the first device housing and second device housing tothe axially displaced open position. In one or more embodiments, afingerprint sensor is situated beneath this first display.

In one or more embodiments, a second display is then coupled to thefirst device housing. The second device housing is concealed when thefirst device housing and the second device housing are in the closedposition, but is revealed when the first device housing pivots from theclosed position to the axially displaced open position. In one or moreembodiments, one or more processors unlock the second display when thefingerprint sensor situated beneath the first display receivedfingerprint data authenticating an authorized user of the electronicdevice while the first device housing and the second device housing arein the axially displaced open position.

Advantageously, this provides a solution for unlocking the appropriatedisplay both when the authorized user interacts with the first displayand when the user interacts with the second display. Additional benefitsprovided by embodiments of the disclosure make this fingerprint sensorsituated beneath the first display easy to use as well. Embodiments ofthe disclosure contemplate that when the fingerprint sensor is situatedbeneath the first display, it may be difficult for a person to locatedue to the fact that there is no tactile indication, e.g., a protrusion,indentation, button, or so forth, to feel when the finger moves atop thefingerprint sensor when the electronic device is in the axiallydisplaced open position. Accordingly, in one or more embodimentsredirection indicia is presented to the user on the second display whentheir finger inadvertently misses the area beneath the display where thefingerprint sensor is situated. This redirection indicia, which cancomprises a visible marker, one or more images, or navigationalinstructions, allows the person to quickly and easily find the properlocation of the fingerprint sensor positioned under the first display tounlock the second display when the electronic device is in the axiallydisplaced open position.

Embodiments of the disclosure solve problems associated with prior artdevices where attempting to use a user authentication device isuncomfortable or difficult. For example, where a fingerprint sensor isused in prior art devices, it is often difficult to reach in certainsituations. It can further be difficult to interact with the fingerprintsensor in certain conditions. These problems can arise when thefingerprint sensor is configured as a separate component situated alonga device housing. These problems can also arise when the fingerprintsensor is configured as a button or other feature positioned on a minorface of the electronic device.

By placing the fingerprint sensor beneath one display, andadvantageously allowing it to control a second display, embodiments ofthe disclosure allow the exterior display to be quickly and easilyunlocked when the electronic device is in the closed position, whilealso allowing the second display to be quickly and easily unlocked whenthe electronic device is in the axially displaced open position. In oneor more embodiments, when redirection indicia is provided on the seconddisplay as one or more images captured by an imager collocated with thefirst display, the redirection indicia serves as a virtual “x-raywindow” that allows a person to virtually look “through” the electronicdevice to determine where to position their finger to unlock the seconddisplay. This x-ray window, which is presented when the electronicdevice is in the locked mode in one or more embodiments, providesinstantaneous and accurate feedback with respect to touch interactionsoccurring on the first display. It further indicates the target touchoccurring on the first display by showing the same on the seconddisplay. Embodiments of the disclosure also reduce the overall cost ofmanufacturing the electronic device in that one fingerprint sensor canbe used to control two displays, rather than requiring two separatefingerprint sensors.

Thus, embodiments of the disclosure provide a fingerprint sensorsituated beneath a first display that can be used to not only unlock thedisplay beneath which it is situated, but also to unlock another displayas well. The benefits provided by embodiments of the disclosure includethe fact that it solves a usability issue that is problematic in priorart devices. Additionally, it provides a more economical solution inthat it requires only one fingerprint sensor rather than two. Moreover,embodiments of the disclosure solve a form-factor intrinsic usabilitychallenge, thereby adding value to the electronic devices employing suchembodiments. Other advantages and benefits of the disclosure will bedescribed below. Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skillin the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is one explanatoryelectronic device 100 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. The electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 is aportable electronic device. For illustrative purposes, the electronicdevice 100 is shown as a smartphone. However, the electronic device 100could be any number of other devices as well, including tabletcomputers, gaming devices, multimedia players, and so forth. Still othertypes of electronic devices can be configured in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure as will be readily appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

The electronic device 100 includes a first device housing 102 and asecond device housing 103. In one or more embodiments, a hinge 101couples the first device housing 102 to the second device housing 103.In one or more embodiments, the first device housing 102 is selectivelypivotable about the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103.For example, in one or more embodiments the first device housing 102 isselectively pivotable about the hinge 101 between a closed position,shown and described below with reference to FIG. 3 , a partially openposition, shown and described below with reference to FIG. 4 , and theopen position shown in FIG. 1

In one or more embodiments the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 are manufactured from a rigid material such as arigid thermoplastic, metal, or composite material, although othermaterials can be used. Still other constructs will be obvious to thoseof ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Inthe illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , the electronic device 100includes a single hinge 101. However, in other embodiments two or morehinges can be incorporated into the electronic device 100 to allow it tobe folded in multiple locations.

While the illustrative electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 includes a hinge101, embodiments of the disclosure are not so limited. In otherembodiments, the electronic device 100 will be bendable, but will notinclude a hinge 101, such as when the first device housing 102 and thesecond device housing 103 are manufactured from bendable materials. Instill other embodiments, the electronic device 100 can be bendable via acombination of hinge components and non-hinge components.

Illustrating by example, in another embodiment the electronic devicehousing can exclude a hinge and instead be flexible with a bendingregion that allows the electronic device housing to bend and flexbetween the axially displaced open position and the closed position. Insuch an embodiment, the electronic device housing may be manufacturedfrom a malleable, bendable, or physically deformable material such as aflexible thermoplastic, flexible composite material, flexible fibermaterial, flexible metal, organic or inorganic textile or polymermaterial, or other materials. The electronic device housing could beformed from a single flexible housing member or from multiple flexiblehousing members.

In other embodiments, the electronic device housing could be a compositeof multiple components. For instance, in another embodiment theelectronic device housing could be a combination of rigid segmentsconnected by hinges or flexible materials. Still other constructs willbe obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In one or more embodiments the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 includesat least one display 105. The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 includesmultiple displays. Display 105 serves as a first display, and is alsoreferred to as the interior display or the rear-facing display. Display105 is concealed when the first device housing 102 is pivoted about thehinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103 to a closedposition. Illustrating by example, display 105 is concealed in FIG. 3below. Display 105 is then revealed when the first device housing 102 ispivoted about the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103from the closed position to an axially displaced open position shown inFIG. 1 . Thus, display 105 is revealed as the electronic device 100transitions from the closed position of FIG. 3 to the open position ofFIG. 1 .

The electronic device 100 can optionally include at least one additionaldisplay. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , the electronicdevice 100 includes a front display 120, which can be referred to as anexterior display or front-facing display. This nomenclature arises dueto the fact that the front display 120 is exposed both when the firstdevice housing 102 and the second device housing 103 are pivoted aboutthe hinge 101 to the closed position or the axially displaced openposition. Thus, the front display 120 is exposed both in the axiallydisplaced open position of FIG. 1 and the closed position of FIG. 3 . Inone or more embodiments, each of the rear display 105 and the frontdisplay 120 is a high-resolution display.

While shown coupled to the first device housing 102, it should be notedthat the front display 120 could be coupled to either of the firstdevice housing 102 or the second device housing 103. In otherembodiments, the front display 120 can be coupled to the first devicehousing 102, while a third display (not shown) is coupled to the seconddevice housing 103, and so forth. Thus, electronic devices configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure can include displayssituated at different positions.

As with the front display 120, display 105 can also be coupled to eitheror both of the first device housing 102 or the second device housing103. In this illustrative embodiment, display 105 is coupled to both thefirst device housing 102 and the second device housing 103 and spans thehinge 101. As noted above, display 105 is considered to be an “interior”display because it is concealed when the first device housing 102 andthe second device housing 103 are in the closed position.

In one or more embodiments, either or both of display 105 or frontdisplay 120 can be touch-sensitive. Where this is the case, users candeliver user input to one or both of display 105 or the front display120 by delivering touch input from a finger, stylus, or other objectsdisposed proximately with display 105 or the front display 120.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , since display 105 spans thehinge 101, it is configured as a flexible display that can bend,deflect, and deform into different shapes. For instance, in oneembodiment display 105 is configured as a foldable organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display coupled to a foldable substrate. Thefoldable substrate can be manufactured from various materials, includingflexible plastic layers, flexible metal layers, flexible compositelayers, or of other materials. In one embodiment, the foldable substrateis manufactured from stainless steel. Others will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Wheremanufactured with a foldable substrate, this substrate allows display105 to be flexible so as to deform when the first device housing 102pivots about the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103.

In one or more embodiments, a user interface component, which may be abutton or touch sensitive surface, can also be disposed along one orboth of the first device housing 102 and/or the second device housing103 to facilitate control of the electronic device 100. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , the user interface componentcomprises a fingerprint sensor 106 positioned under the front display120 of the electronic device 100. In other embodiments, the userinterface component will be placed to the side of the front display 120,rather than beneath the front display 120.

Other features can be added and can be located on the front of one orboth of the first device housing 102 and/or the second device housing103, sides of one or both of the first device housing 102 and/or thesecond device housing 103, and/or the rear of one or both of the firstdevice housing 102 and/or the second device housing 103. Illustrating byexample, in one or more embodiments a first image capture device 107 canbe disposed on one side of the electronic device 100, while a secondimage capture device 108 is disposed on another side of the electronicdevice 100. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , each of the firstimage capture device 107 and the second image capture device 108 ispositioned beneath the front display 120 and the rear display 105,respectively. However, in other embodiments, the first image capturedevice 107 and the second image capture device 108 could be placedbeside the their respective displays, rather than beneath the same. Ofcourse, a combination of beside/beneath placements can be used as well.

In this illustrative embodiment, each of image capture device 107 andimage capture device 108 is positioned beneath a display. In one or moreembodiments, one or both of the rear display 105 and/or the frontdisplay 120 includes a first pixel portion and a second pixel portion.Using the front display 120 as an illustrative example, a first pixelportion (the area of display 120 within circle 109) is situated abovefingerprint sensor 106 (with another first pixel portion situated aboveimage capture device 107) and a second pixel portion (the area ofdisplay 120 outside circle 109) situated at areas of the display 120other than those positioned above the fingerprint sensor 106 and theimage capture device 107. The rear display 105 can be similarlyconfigured, with a first pixel portion situated above image capturedevice 108 and a second pixel portion situated at areas of the display105 other than those positioned above the and the image capture device108.

In one embodiment, the first pixel portion comprises only transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels. In another embodiment, the pixelsdisposed in the first pixel portion comprise a combination oftransparent organic light emitting diode pixels and reflective organiclight emitting diode pixels. Other configurations will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the entire extent of the displays 105,120 isavailable for presenting images. While some borders are shown in FIG. 1, in other embodiments there is no need for the first device housing 102or the second device housing 103 of the electronic device 100 to includeborders that picture frame the rear display 105 or the second devicehousing 103. To the contrary, in one or more embodiments one or both ofthe rear display 105 and/or the front display 120 can span an entiremajor face of the electronic device 100 so that the entirety of themajor face can be used as active display area.

One way that the amount of surface area of the first device housing 102and the second device housing 103 covered by the rear display 105 or thefront display 120 can be expanded is by placing the various sensors,e.g., image capture devices 107,108 and the fingerprint sensor 106,beneath the first pixel portion such that the fingerprint sensor 106,the image capture devices 107,108, and/or any other sensors arecollocated with the first pixel portion or portions. This allows thefingerprint sensor 106, the image capture devices 107,108, and/or theother sensors to receive signals through the transparent portions of thefirst pixel portion.

In one or more embodiments, the second pixel portion comprises onlyreflective light emitting diode pixels. Content can be presented on afirst pixel portion comprising only transparent organic light emittingdiode pixels or sub-pixels or a combination of transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels and reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels. The content can also be presentedon the second pixel portion comprising only the reflective organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels.

When a user desires to capture an image with either or both of imagecapture device 107 or image capture device 108, or when touch inputdelivering fingerprint data to the fingerprint sensor 106 is detectedupon the front display 120, one or more processors 110 of the electronicdevice 100 cause the transparent organic light emitting diode pixels orsub-pixels to cease emitting light in one or more embodiments. Thiscessation of light emission prevents light emitted from the transparentorganic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels from interfering withlight or fingerprint data incident upon the first pixel portion. Whenthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels areturned OFF, they become optically transparent in one or moreembodiments.

In some embodiments, the second pixel portion will then remain ON whenthe first pixel portion ceases to emit light. However, in otherembodiments the second pixel portion will be turned OFF as well. Therequisite image capture device 107,108 or the fingerprint sensor 106 canthen be actuated to capture the fingerprint data and/or an image fromthe light passing through the transparent organic light emitting diodepixels or sub-pixels. Thereafter, the one or more processors 110 canresume the presentation of data along the first pixel portion of thedisplay 105,120. In one or more embodiments, this comprises actuatingthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels,thereby causing them to again begin emitting light.

A block diagram schematic 111 of the electronic device 100 is also shownin FIG. 1 . In one or more embodiments, the block diagram schematic 111is configured as a printed circuit board assembly disposed within one orboth of the first device housing 102 or the second device housing 103.Various components can be electrically coupled together by conductors ora bus disposed along one or more printed circuit boards, which canoptionally be flexible circuit boards or alternatively rigid circuitboards coupled together by one or more flexible conductors orsubstrates. It should be noted that the block diagram schematic 111includes many components that are optional, but which are included in aneffort to demonstrate how varied electronic devices configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure can be.

Thus, it is to be understood that the block diagram schematic 111 ofFIG. 1 is provided for illustrative purposes only and for illustratingcomponents of one electronic device 100 in accordance with embodimentsof the disclosure. The block diagram schematic 111 of FIG. 1 is notintended to be a complete schematic diagram of the various componentsrequired for an electronic device 100. Therefore, other electronicdevices in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure may includevarious other components not shown in FIG. 1 or may include acombination of two or more components or a division of a particularcomponent into two or more separate components, and still be within thescope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes one or moreprocessors 110. The one or more processors 110 can be a microprocessor,a group of processing components, one or more Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic, or other type ofprocessing device. The one or more processors 110 can be operable withthe various components of the electronic device 100. The one or moreprocessors 110 can be configured to process and execute executablesoftware code to perform the various functions of the electronic device100. A storage device, such as memory 112, can optionally store theexecutable software code used by the one or more processors 110 duringoperation.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors 110 areresponsible for transitioning the electronic device 100 from a lockedmode of operation to an active mode of operation. In one or moreembodiments, the electronic device 100 includes a security mechanismthat places the electronic device 100 in a locked mode of operation toprevent unauthorized users from accessing the electronic device 100 orthe data stored in the memory 112. Accordingly, in one or moreembodiments the electronic device 100 can be referred to as a “lockabledevice” in that the one or more processors 110 can selectively actuate asecurity mechanism that prevents unauthorized persons from accessing orlogging on to the electronic device 100. Examples of such mechanismsinclude password protected login screens, screensavers, voice commandlogin mechanism using voice recognition, voice password entry, and soforth. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , the security mechanismincludes authentication of an authorized user of the electronic device100 using the fingerprint sensor 106, as will be described in moredetail below. Other examples of security mechanisms will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 , the electronic device 100 isa lockable device capable of being transitioned between a locked mode ofoperation and an active mode of operation. The electronic device 100includes the fingerprint sensor 106. A person can authenticatethemselves as an authorized user of the electronic device 100 bydelivering fingerprint data to the fingerprint sensor 106 forauthentication by the one or more processors 110. Using the fingerprintsensor 106, the one or more processors 110 can detect fingerprint datawhen a person places their finger upon the front display 120 at alocation situated atop the fingerprint sensor 106. The one or moreprocessors 110 can then compare this received fingerprint data with oneor more fingerprint data reference files 113 stored in the memory 112 ofthe electronic device 100 to determine whether the fingerprint datasufficiently matches one of the one or more fingerprint data referencefiles 113. Where it does, the one or more processors 110 can transitionthe electronic device 100 from a locked mode of operation to an activemode of operation. In one or more embodiments, this includes causing thepresentation of content to occur on one or both of the rear display 105and/or the front display 120 when the electronic device 100 is in theactive mode of operation.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors 110 are furtherresponsible for performing the primary functions of the electronicdevice 100. For example, in one embodiment the one or more processors110 comprise one or more circuits operable to present presentationinformation, such as images, text, and video, on one or both of the reardisplay 105 and/or the front display 120. The executable software codeused by the one or more processors 110 can be configured as one or moremodules stored in the memory 112 that are operable with the one or moreprocessors 110. Such modules can store instructions, control algorithms,and so forth.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 110 are responsible forrunning the operating system environment. The operating systemenvironment can include a kernel, one or more drivers, and anapplication service layer, and an application layer. The operatingsystem environment can be configured as executable code operating on oneor more processors or control circuits of the electronic device 100.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors 110 areresponsible for managing the applications of the electronic device 100.In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors 110 are alsoresponsible for launching, monitoring and killing the variousapplications and the various application service modules. Theapplications of the application layer can be configured as clients ofthe application service layer to communicate with services throughapplication program interfaces (APIs), messages, events, or otherinter-process communication interfaces.

In one or more embodiments, the fingerprint sensor 106 situated beneaththe front display 120 is operable with the one or more processors 110.In one embodiment, the fingerprint sensor 106 includes its own processorto perform various functions, including detecting a finger touching thefront display 120 atop the fingerprint sensor 106, capturing and storingfingerprint data from the finger, detecting user actions across asurface of the second device housing 103 situated atop the fingerprintsensor 106. The processor of the fingerprint sensor 106 can optionallyperform at least one pre-processing step while the one or moreprocessors 110 are in a low power or sleep mode in the locked mode ofoperation. Upon receiving a request from the one or more processors 110for the fingerprint data, the fingerprint sensor 106 can deliver thefingerprint data to the one or more processors 110. In one or moreembodiments the processor of the fingerprint sensor 106 can, as onepre-processing step, perform a preliminary authentication of the user bycomparing fingerprint data captured by the fingerprint sensor 106 to afingerprint data reference file 113 stored in the memory 112. Theprocessor of the fingerprint sensor 106 can be an on-board processor.Alternatively, the processor can be a secondary processor that isexternal to, but operable with, the fingerprint sensor in anotherembodiment. Other configurations will be obvious to those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the fingerprint sensor 106 can include a plurality ofsensors. The fingerprint sensor 106 can be a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor active pixel sensor digital imager or anyother fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor 106 can be configuredto capture, with the plurality of sensors, a live scan of a fingerprintpattern from a finger disposed along its surface, and to store thisinformation as fingerprint data from the user's finger. The fingerprintsensor 106 may also be able to capture one or more images with theplurality of sensors. The images can correspond to an area beneath asurface of skin. The fingerprint sensor 106 can compare the fingerprintdata or skin images to one or more fingerprint data reference files 113to authenticate a user in an authentication process.

In this illustrative embodiment, the electronic device 100 also includesa communication circuit 114 that can be configured for wired or wirelesscommunication with one or more other devices or networks. The networkscan include a wide area network, a local area network, and/or personalarea network. The communication circuit 114 may also utilize wirelesstechnology for communication, such as, but are not limited to,peer-to-peer or ad hoc communications, and other forms of wirelesscommunication such as infrared technology. The communication circuit 114can include wireless communication circuitry, one of a receiver, atransmitter, or transceiver, and one or more antennas 116.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes one or moresensors 115 operable to determine a geometric form factor of theelectronic device 100. Illustrating by example, in one or moreembodiments the one or more sensors 115 operable to detect the geometricform factor of the electronic device 100 detect angles between the firstdevice housing 102 and the second device housing 103 as these devicehousings pivot relative to each other about the hinge 101. The one ormore sensors 115 operable to determine a geometric form factor of theelectronic device 100 can detect the first device housing 102 pivotingabout the hinge 101 relative to the second device housing 103. The oneor more sensors 115 operable to determine the geometric form factor cantake various forms.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more sensors 115 operable todetermine the geometric form factor of the electronic device 100comprise one or more flex sensors supported by the first device housing102 and/or second device housing 103 and operable with the one or moreprocessors 110 to detect a bending operation deforming the electronicdevice 100 into a deformed geometric form factor, examples of which areshown below in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The inclusion of flex sensors isoptional, and in some embodiment flex sensors will not be included.

Where included, in one embodiment the flex sensors each comprise passiveresistive devices manufactured from a material with an impedance thatchanges when the material is bent, deformed, or flexed. By detectingchanges in the impedance as a function of resistance, the one or moreprocessors 110 can use the one or more flex sensors to detect bending orflexing. In one or more embodiments, each flex sensor comprises abi-directional flex sensor that can detect flexing or bending in twodirections. In one embodiment, the one or more flex sensors have animpedance that increases in an amount that is proportional with theamount it is deformed or bent.

In one embodiment, each flex sensor is manufactured from a series oflayers combined together in a stacked structure. In one embodiment, atleast one layer is conductive, and is manufactured from a metal foilsuch as copper. A resistive material provides another layer. Theselayers can be adhesively coupled together in one or more embodiments.The resistive material can be manufactured from a variety of partiallyconductive materials, including paper-based materials, plastic-basedmaterials, metallic materials, and textile-based materials. In oneembodiment, a thermoplastic such as polyethylene can be impregnated withcarbon or metal so as to be partially conductive, while at the same timebeing flexible.

In one embodiment, the resistive layer is sandwiched between twoconductive layers. Electrical current flows into one conductive layer,through the resistive layer, and out of the other conductive layer. Asthe flex sensor bends, the impedance of the resistive layer changes,thereby altering the flow of current for a given voltage. The one ormore processors 110 can detect this change to determine an amount ofbending. Taps can be added along each flex sensor to determine otherinformation, including the number of folds, the degree of each fold, thelocation of the folds, the direction of the folds, and so forth. Theflex sensor can further be driven by time-varying signals to increasethe amount of information obtained from the flex sensor as well.

While a multi-layered device as a flex sensor is one configurationsuitable for detecting a bending operation occurring to deform theelectronic device 100 and a geometric form factor of the electronicdevice 100 after the bending operation, other sensors 115 for detectingthe geometric form factor of the electronic device 100 can be used aswell. For instance, a magnet can be placed in the first device housing102 while a magnetic sensor is placed in the second device housing 103,or vice versa. The magnetic sensor could be Hall-effect sensor, a giantmagnetoresistance effect sensor, a tunnel magnetoresistance effectsensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor, or other type of sensor.

In still other embodiments, the one or more sensors 115 operable todetermine a geometric form factor of the electronic device 100 cancomprise an inductive coil placed in the first device housing 102 and apiece of metal placed in the second device housing 103, or vice versa.When the metal is in close proximity to the coil, the one or moresensors 115 operable to determine the geometric form factor of theelectronic device 100 detect the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 in a first position. By contrast, when the metal isfarther away from the coil, the one or more sensors 115 operable todetermine a geometric form factor of the electronic device 100 candetect the first device housing 102 and the second device housing 103being in a second position, and so forth.

In other embodiments the one or more sensors 115 operable to determine ageometric form factor of the electronic device 100 can comprise aninertial motion unit situated in the first device housing 102 andanother inertial motion unit situated in the second device housing 103.The one or more processors 110 can compare motion sensor readings fromeach inertial motion unit to track the relative movement and/or positionof the first device housing 102 relative to the second device housing103, as well as the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 relative to the direction of gravity 117. This data can beused to determine and or track the state and position of the firstdevice housing 102 and the second device housing 103 directly as theypivot about the hinge 101, as well as their orientation with referenceto a direction of gravity 117.

Where included as the one or more sensors 115 operable to determine thegeometric form factor of the electronic device 100, each inertial motionunit can comprise a combination of one or more accelerometers, one ormore gyroscopes, and optionally one or more magnetometers, to determinethe orientation, angular velocity, and/or specific force of one or bothof the first device housing 102 or the second device housing 103. Whenincluded in the electronic device 100, these inertial motion units canbe used as orientation sensors to measure the orientation of one or bothof the first device housing 102 or the second device housing 103 inthree-dimensional space 118. Similarly, the inertial motion units can beused as orientation sensors to measure the motion of one or both of thefirst device housing 102 or second device housing 103 inthree-dimensional space 118. The inertial motion units can be used tomake other measurements as well.

Where only one inertial motion unit is included in the first devicehousing 102, this inertial motion unit is configured to determine anorientation, which can include measurements of azimuth, plumb, tilt,velocity, angular velocity, acceleration, and angular acceleration, ofthe first device housing 102. Similarly, where two inertial motion unitsare included, with one inertial motion unit being situated in the firstdevice housing 102 and another inertial motion unit being situated inthe second device housing 103, each inertial motion unit determines theorientation of its respective device housing. Inertial motion unit candetermine measurements of azimuth, plumb, tilt, velocity, angularvelocity, acceleration, angular acceleration, and so forth of the firstdevice housing 102, while inertial motion unit can determinemeasurements of azimuth, plumb, tilt, velocity, angular velocity,acceleration, angular acceleration, and so forth of the second devicehousing 103, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, each inertial motion unit delivers theseorientation measurements to the one or more processors 110 in the formof orientation determination signals. Thus, the inertial motion unitsituated in the first device housing 102 outputs a first orientationdetermination signal comprising the determined orientation of the firstdevice housing 102, while the inertial motion unit situated in thesecond device housing 103 outputs another orientation determinationsignal comprising the determined orientation of the second devicehousing 103.

In one or more embodiments, the orientation determination signals aredelivered to the one or more processors 110, which report the determinedorientations to the various modules, components, and applicationsoperating on the electronic device 100. In one or more embodiments, theone or more processors 110 can be configured to deliver a compositeorientation that is an average or other combination of the orientationof orientation determination signals. In other embodiments, the one ormore processors 110 are configured to deliver one or the otherorientation determination signal to the various modules, components, andapplications operating on the electronic device 100.

In another embodiment the one or more sensors 115 operable to determinethe geometric form factor of the electronic device 100 compriseproximity sensors that detect how far a first end of the electronicdevice 100 is from a second end of the electronic device 100. Stillother examples of the one or more sensors 115 operable to determine ageometric form factor of the electronic device 100 will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more sensors 115 operable todetermine the geometric form factor of the electronic device 100 cancomprise an image capture analysis/synthesis manager. When theelectronic device 100 is bent at the hinge 101, with an image capturedevice 107 situated on the first device housing 102 positioned to afirst side of the bend, and image capture device 108 situated on thesecond device housing 103 positioned to the second side of the bend, theimage capture analysis/synthesis manager can detect that the field ofview of image capture device 107 and the field of view of image capturedevice 108 converging or diverging depending upon the angle of the bend,and can determine the geometric form factor by processing images fromimage capture device 107 and image capture device 108 to determine theangle of the bend.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first image capture device 107and the second image capture device 108 comprises an intelligent imager.Where configured as an intelligent imager, each image capture device107,108 can capture one or more images of environments about theelectronic device 100 and determine whether the object matchespredetermined criteria. For example, the intelligent imager operate asan identification module configured with optical recognition such asinclude image recognition, character recognition, visual recognition,facial recognition, color recognition, shape recognition and the like.In yet another embodiment, the intelligent imager can determine where auser's eyes or face are located in three-dimensional space relative tothe electronic device 100.

In addition to, or instead of the intelligent imager, one or moreproximity sensors included with the other sensors 119 can determine towhich side of the electronic device 100 the user is positioned when theelectronic device 100 is deformed. The proximity sensors can include oneor more proximity sensor components. The proximity sensors can alsoinclude one or more proximity detector components. In one embodiment,the proximity sensor components comprise only signal receivers. Bycontrast, the proximity detector components include a signal receiverand a corresponding signal transmitter.

In one embodiment, the proximity sensor components comprise an infraredsignal receiver so as to be able to detect infrared emissions from aperson. Accordingly, the proximity sensor components require notransmitter since objects disposed external to the electronic device 100deliver emissions that are received by the infrared receiver. As notransmitter is required, each proximity sensor component can operate ata very low power level.

In one embodiment, one or more proximity detector components can eachinclude a signal receiver and a corresponding signal transmitter. Thesignal transmitter can transmit a beam of infrared light that reflectsfrom a nearby object and is received by a corresponding signal receiver.The proximity detector components can be used, for example, to computethe distance to any nearby object from characteristics associated withthe reflected signals. The reflected signals are detected by thecorresponding signal receiver, which may be an infrared photodiode usedto detect reflected light emitting diode (LED) light, respond tomodulated infrared signals, and/or perform triangulation of receivedinfrared signals.

In one embodiment, the one or more processors 110 may generate commandsor execute control operations based on information received from thevarious sensors 119 and other components 124, including the one or moresensors 115 operable to determine the geometric form factor of theelectronic device 100, the first image capture device 107, the secondimage capture device 108, or other components of the electronic device.The one or more processors 110 may also generate commands or executecontrol operations based upon information received from a combination ofthese components. Moreover, the one or more processors 110 may processthe received information alone or in combination with other data, suchas the information stored in the memory 112.

The other sensors 119 and other components 124 may include a microphone,an earpiece speaker, a loudspeaker, key selection sensors, a touch padsensor, a touch screen sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and one ormore switches. Touch sensors may be used to indicate whether any of theuser actuation targets present on the rear display 105 are beingactuated. Alternatively, touch sensors can determine if the frontdisplay 120 is being touched to determine whether fingerprint data isbeing delivered to the fingerprint sensor 106. The touch sensors caninclude surface and/or housing capacitive sensors in one embodiment.

The other sensors 119 and components 124 can also include motiondetectors, such as one or more accelerometers or gyroscopes. Forexample, an accelerometer may be embedded in the electronic circuitry ofthe electronic device 100 to show vertical orientation, constant tiltand/or whether the electronic device 100 is stationary. The measurementof tilt relative to gravity is referred to as “static acceleration,”while the measurement of motion and/or vibration is referred to as“dynamic acceleration.” A gyroscope can be used in a similar fashion. Inone embodiment the motion detectors are also operable to detectmovement, and direction of movement, of the electronic device 100 by auser.

In one or more embodiments, the other sensors 119 and components 124include a gravity detector. For example, as one or more accelerometersand/or gyroscopes may be used to show vertical orientation, constant, ora measurement of tilt relative to gravity 117. Accordingly, in one ormore embodiments, the one or more processors 110 can use the gravitydetector to determine an orientation of the electronic device 100 inthree-dimensional space 118 relative to the direction of gravity 117.

The other sensors 119 and components 124 operable with the one or moreprocessors 110 can include output components such as video outputs,audio outputs, and/or mechanical outputs. Examples of output componentsinclude audio outputs, an earpiece speaker, haptic devices, or otheralarms and/or buzzers and/or a mechanical output component such asvibrating or motion-based mechanisms. Still other components will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

It is to be understood that FIG. 1 is provided for illustrative purposesonly and for illustrating components of one electronic device 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to bea complete schematic diagram of the various components required for anelectronic device. Therefore, other electronic devices in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure may include various other componentsnot shown in FIG. 1 or may include a combination of two or morecomponents or a division of a particular component into two or moreseparate components, and still be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Now that the various hardware components have been described, attentionwill be turned to methods, systems, and use cases in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure. Beginning with FIG. 2 ,illustrated therein is one explanatory method 200 configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The method200, when implemented on an electronic device such as the electronicdevice (100) of FIG. 1 , facilitates the unlocking of the rear display(105) when fingerprint data authenticates an authorized user of theelectronic device (100) and the first device housing (102) and thesecond device housing (103) are pivoted to the axially displaced openposition. However, when the first device housing (102) and the seconddevice housing (103) are pivoted to the closed position, the method 200facilitates the unlocking of the front display (120) when thefingerprint data authenticates an authorized user of the electronicdevice (100).

Beginning at step 201, in one or more embodiments the method 200includes detecting a geometric form factor of the electronic deviceusing one or more sensors. Examples of geometric form factors that arecapable of detection include the axially displaced open position shownin FIG. 1 , the closed position shown in FIG. 3 , and one or morepartially open positions, one example of which is shown in FIG. 4 .Other examples of geometric form factors capable of detection will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

At step 202, the method 200 optionally includes prioritizing whichfinger the fingerprint sensor of the electronic device will initiallyattempt to authenticate as a function of the geometric form factor.Recall from above that in one or more embodiments one or more processorsof the electronic device attempt to authenticate fingerprint data asbelonging to an authorized user of the electronic device by comparingthe fingerprint data with one or more fingerprint data reference filesstored in the memory of the electronic device. Embodiments of thedisclosure contemplate that when a person is holding the electronicdevice in the axially displaced open position while viewing the primarydisplay, with the fingerprint sensor situated under the secondarydisplay situated on the other side of the electronic device, it is farmore likely that they will use an index finger to unlock the electronicdevice than, say, a thumb. By contrast, when the electronic device is inthe closed position, the person may be equally likely to use an indexfinger or a thumb, depending upon how the electronic device is beingheld.

To streamline the authentication process and make it more efficient, inone or more embodiments step 202 comprises prioritizing whichfingerprint data reference file will initially be used in the comparisonwith the fingerprint data. Illustrating by example, in one or moreembodiments step 202 comprises comparing the fingerprint data with aforefinger fingerprint data reference file stored in a memory of theelectronic device before comparing the fingerprint data to any otherfingerprint reference data files stored in the memory whenever the firstdevice housing and the second device housing are in the axiallydisplaced open position. Step 202 can also comprise comparing thefingerprint data with a thumb fingerprint data reference file stored ina memory of the electronic device before comparing the fingerprint datato any other fingerprint reference data files stored in the memorywhenever the first device housing and the second device housing are inthe closed position. This allows for prioritization of which finger thefingerprint sensor is “looking for” as a function of the geometric formfactor determined at step 201.

At step 203, the fingerprint sensor of the electronic device situatedbeneath the exterior display of the electronic device receivesfingerprint data. In one or more embodiments, step 203 occurs while theelectronic device is in a locked mode of operation. In one or moreembodiments, step 203 comprises the fingerprint sensor storing thecaptured fingerprint data in a memory of the electronic device. In oneor more embodiments, step 203 comprises monitoring the area of theexterior display situated above the fingerprint sensor to detect afinger proximately located with the exterior display at a locationcollocated with the fingerprint sensor.

At step 204, the method 200 includes the one or more processors of theelectronic device authenticating an authorized user of the electronicdevice using the fingerprint data received at step 203. In one or moreembodiments, the authenticating occurring at step 204 comprisescomparing the fingerprint data received at step 203 with one or morefingerprint data reference files stored within a memory of theelectronic device to determine whether the fingerprint datasubstantially matches a fingerprint data reference file. When optionalstep 202 is included, step 204 can comprise comparing the fingerprintdata with a forefinger fingerprint data reference file stored in amemory of the electronic device before comparing the fingerprint data toany other fingerprint reference data files stored in the memory wheneverthe first device housing and the second device housing are in theaxially displaced open position, and so forth.

Step 204 can optionally comprise the fingerprint sensor pre-processingthe fingerprint data. Examples of pre-processing steps include noisefiltering the fingerprint data and/or validating whether an objectproximately located with the exterior display atop the fingerprintsensor is actually a finger rather than another inanimate object such asa key ring, lipstick case, or other object.

Step 204 can optionally image validation as well. The image validationcan include determining if the fingerprint data is of sufficient qualityso as to successfully make it through the matching and control stepsoccurring at step 204 and at step 205. In other embodiments, wheremultiple sets of the fingerprint data are captured at step 203, theimage validation of step 204 can include comparing the second object orfingerprint data to primary object or fingerprint data and deleting alesser quality one of the second object or fingerprint data and theprimary object or fingerprint data.

Step 205 then comprises selecting between the exterior display of theelectronic device, which is exposed in all geometric form factors of theelectronic device, and the other display of the electronic device, whichis concealed in at least one geometric form factor of the electronicdevice. In one or more embodiments, the selecting occurring at step 205comprises making the selection as a function of the geometric formfactor determined at step 201.

Illustrating by example, where the electronic device includes a firstdevice housing that is pivotable relative to a second device housingbetween an axially displaced open position and a closed position, with afirst display coupled to the first device housing such that it isexposed both in the axially displaced open position and in the closedposition, and with a second display that is concealed in the closedposition but revealed in the axially displaced open position, step 205can comprise selecting the first display when the electronic device isin the closed position and selecting the second display when theelectronic device is in the axially displaced open position. Thereafter,step 205 comprises unlocking the selected display in response toauthenticating the authorized user of the electronic device using thefingerprint data at step 203.

One example of the method 200 of FIG. 2 in practice is shown in FIG. 3 .Turning now to FIG. 3 , at step 301 the electronic device 100 is in theclosed position and in the locked mode of operation. In one or moreembodiments, one or more sensors (115) of the electronic device detectthis geometric form factor at step 301.

As shown at step 302, in one or more embodiments the electronic device100 includes a display 120 that is exposed for all geometric formfactors. A fingerprint sensor 106 is situated beneath this display 120.At step 302, the fingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath the display 120receives fingerprint data from a finger touching the display 120 at alocation that is collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106.

One or more processors (110) of the electronic device then authenticatethis fingerprint data at step 302. The one or more processors (110)further select between the display 120 shown in FIG. 3 and the otherdisplay of the electronic device 100, which was referenced as the reardisplay (105) in the description of FIG. 1 . In one or more embodiments,the one or more processors (110) select between the display 120 shown inFIG. 3 and the other display as a function of the geometric form factordetermined at step 301.

In this illustrative embodiment, the electronic device 100 comprises afirst device housing 102 that is pivotable relative to a second devicehousing 103 between the closed position shown in FIG. 3 and the axiallydisplaced open position of FIG. 1 . Here, since first device housing 102and the second device housing 103 of the electronic device 100 arepivoted to the closed position, at step 302 the one or more processors(110) select the display 120 shown in FIG. 3 .

At step 303, the one or more processors (110) transition the electronicdevice 100 from the locked mode of operation to an active mode ofoperation. In one or more embodiments, this comprises the one or moreprocessors (110) of the electronic device 100 unlocking the selecteddisplay, here display 120, in response to authenticating the authorizeduser of the electronic device. In one or more embodiments, the one ormore processors (110) of the electronic device 100 unlock the selecteddisplay without unlocking other displays of the electronic device 100.For instance, in one or more embodiments step 303 comprises the one ormore processors (110) of the electronic device 100 unlocking display 120without unlocking display (105) whenever the electronic device 100 is inthe closed position.

Advantageously, the method 300 depicted in FIG. 3 allows an authorizeduser of the electronic device to simply touch the exterior display witha finger to unlock the electronic device 100, which includes unlockingthe exterior display. This quick and seamless process allows theauthorized user to view content, messages, files, and data withouthaving to pivot the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 to the axially displaced open position.

Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously use the same fingerprintsensor, i.e., fingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath display 120 toalso unlock the other display(s), e.g., display (105), as well. Turningnow to FIG. 4 , illustrated therein is one explanatory method 400depicting how this can occur.

Beginning with step 401, an authorized user 410 is shown holding theelectronic device 100 while the electronic device is in the closedposition and in the locked mode of operation. This state and geometricform factor of the electronic device 100 is detected at step 402. If, atstep 401, the authorized user 410 were to place their thumb atop thefingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath display 120, the method (300) ofFIG. 3 would proceed, thereby allowing the authorized user 410 to unlockdisplay 120 as previously described.

In this illustrative embodiment, however, the authorized user 410 pivotsthe first device housing 102 relative to the second device housing 103from the closed position of step 401 toward an axially displaced openposition at step 403. The electronic device 100 is shown in a partiallyopen position at step 403. In one or more embodiments, this causesanother display, here display 105, to be revealed as shown at step 403.Thus, as shown at step 403, in one or more embodiments the electronicdevice 100 includes a first device housing 102 that is pivotablerelative to the second device housing between the closed position ofstep 401 and the axially displaced open position shown in step 405. Inone or more embodiments, this reveals display 105, which was concealedwhen the electronic device 100 was in the closed position of step 401.In one or more embodiments, one or more sensors (115) of the electronicdevice detect this transition from a first geometric form factor to asecond geometric form factor at step 404.

At step 405, the authorized user 410 delivers fingerprint data to thefingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath display 120, which is exposedfor all geometric form factors of the electronic device. At step 403,the authorized user 410 delivers this fingerprint data to thefingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath display 120 while the electronicdevice is in the axially displaced open position.

At step 406, the fingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath the display 120receives fingerprint data from the finger touching the display 120 at alocation that is collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106. At step407, one or more processors (110) of the electronic device thenauthenticate that this fingerprint data is received from the authorizeduser 410 of the electronic device.

At step 408, the one or more processors (110) further select betweendisplay 120 and display 105. This selection can occur as a function of avariety of factors, which can be used alone or in combination.Illustrating by example, in one or more embodiments the one or moreprocessors (110) select between display 120 and display 105 as afunction of the geometric form factor illustrated, and optionallydetected, at step 408. In other embodiments, the one or more processors(110) select between display 120 and display 105 as a function of thetransition between geometric form factors detected at step 404. Usingeither option as a function input, since first device housing 102 andthe second device housing 103 of the electronic device 100 are pivotedto the axially displaced open position at step 405 when the fingerprintdata is received, the one or more processors (110) select the display105 at step 408.

At step 408, the one or more processors (110) of the electronic device100 also unlock the selected display, which is display 105 in thisillustrative example. In one or more embodiments, this unlocking ofdisplay 105 occurs in response to authenticating the authorized user ofthe electronic device. In another embodiment this unlocking of display105 occurs in response to a combination of authenticating the authorizeduser of the electronic device and detecting the axially displaced openposition occurring when the fingerprint data is being received. In stillanother embodiment, this unlocking of display 105 occurs in response toauthenticating the authorized user of the electronic device anddetecting a transition of the geometric form factor from the closedposition to the axially displaced open position. Display 105 is thenshown unlocked at step 409. In the active mode of operation, the display105 is available to present content to the authorized user 410.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors (110) of theelectronic device 100 unlock the selected display without unlockingother displays of the electronic device 100. For instance, in one ormore embodiments step 408 comprises the one or more processors (110) ofthe electronic device 100 unlocking display 105 without unlockingdisplay 120 when the electronic device 100 is in the axially displacedopen position shown at step 409.

Advantageously, the method 300 depicted in FIG. 3 allows an authorizeduser of the electronic device to simply touch the exterior display witha finger to unlock the electronic device 100, which includes unlockingthe exterior display. This quick and seamless process allows theauthorized user to view content, messages, files, and data withouthaving to pivot the first device housing 102 and the second devicehousing 103 to the axially displaced open position.

Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that if the authorized user410 is looking at display 105 at step 405, there is a chance that thefinger may miss the fingerprint sensor 106 due to the fact that thefingerprint sensor 106 is situated on the opposite side of theelectronic device 100 from display 105 and not in the line of sight ofthe authorized user 410. Embodiments of the disclosure also contemplatethat when the fingerprint sensor 106 is situated beneath display 120, itmay be difficult for the authorized user 410 to mechanically locate thefingerprint sensor 106 due to the fact that there is no tactile feature,e.g., a protrusion, indentation, ridges, or other feature on the surfaceof display 120 that allows the user to make a tactile determination whenthe finger is atop the fingerprint sensor 106.

To solve this problem, in one or more embodiments redirection indicia ispresented to the authorized user 410 on display 105 when their fingerinadvertently misses the area of display 120 beneath which thefingerprint sensor 106 is situated. This redirection indicia, which cancomprises a visible marker, one or more images, or navigationalinstructions, allows the authorized user 410 to quickly and easily findthe proper location of the fingerprint sensor 106 positioned under thedisplay 120 to unlock the display 105 when the electronic device 100 isin the axially displaced open position. Turning now to FIG. 5 ,illustrated therein is one explanatory method 500 illustrating how thiscan occur.

Beginning at step 501, the authorized user 410 has inadvertently missedthe fingerprint sensor 106 while trying to unlock display 105 with theelectronic device 100 in the axially displaced open position. This factis determined at steps 502-505. At step 502, one or more processors(110) of the electronic device 100 determine that the electronic device100 is in a locked mode of operation. At step 503, one or more sensors(115) of the electronic device 100 determine a geometric form factor ofthe electronic device 100. As shown at step 501, the geometric formfactor is the axially displaced open position.

At step 504, display 120 detects the receipt of touch input. Since it islikely that the touch input may be delivering fingerprint data due tothe fact that the electronic device 100 is in the locked mode ofoperation, in one or more embodiments the one or more processors (110)of the electronic device 100 actuate the fingerprint sensor 106 and,optionally, causes the transparent organic light emitting diode pixelsor sub-pixels situated atop the fingerprint sensor 106 to cease emittinglight. This cessation of light emission prevents light emitted from thetransparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels frominterfering with the fingerprint data incident upon the first pixelportion of display 120 situated above the fingerprint sensor 106. Whenthe transparent organic light emitting diode pixels or sub-pixels areturned OFF, they become optically transparent in one or moreembodiments, thereby allowing the fingerprint sensor 106 to capture thefingerprint data. As noted above, in some embodiments the second pixelportion of display 120 will be ON in response to the touch inputdetected at step 504 when the first pixel portion ceases to emit light.However, in other embodiments the second pixel portion will be turnedOFF as well. The fingerprint sensor 106 can then attempt to capture thefingerprint data through the transparent organic light emitting diodepixels or sub-pixels.

At step 505, the one or more processors (110) detect, with touch sensorsof display 120, that the touch input detected at step 504 is missing anarea of display 120 that is collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106.In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5 , this occurs while theelectronic device 100 is in the axially displaced open position, asdetermined by step 503.

To assist the authorized user 410 in locating the fingerprint sensor 106without having to turn the electronic device 100 over, in one or moreembodiments the one or more processors (110) of the electronic device100 present redirection indicia upon display 105. In one or moreembodiments, the redirection indicia directs the touch input toward theare of display 120 that is collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106.

The redirection indicia can take a variety of forms, several examples ofwhich are illustrated at step 507. Illustrating by example, in one ormore embodiments the redirection indicia comprise a visible marker 517identifying an area of display 120 concentrically located about an axis518 passing orthogonally through the first device housing 102 with thearea of display 120 that is collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106.This axis 518 is shown in both step 501 and step 507.

In one or more embodiments, the redirection indicia comprise a visiblemarker 519 identifying another area of display 120 concentricallylocated about another axis 520 passing orthogonally through the firstdevice housing 102 collocated with the touch input. This axis 520 isshown in both step 501 and step 507. Of course, the visible marker 517identifying the area of display 120 concentrically located about axis518 and the visible marker 519 identifying the other area of display 120concentrically located about axis 520 can be used in combination aswell, as shown at step 507.

Additionally, while visible marker 517 and visible marker 519 are shownas circular and ovular shapes, respectively, at step 507, these visiblemarkers 517, 519 can take other shapes as well. In another embodiment,these visible markers 517,519 can be square. In another embodiment,these visible markers 517,519 can be configured as stars. In anotherembodiment, these visible markers 517,519 are rectangular. In anotherembodiment, these visible markers 517,519 are polygonal. In anotherembodiment, these visible markers 517,519 are a free form shape. Thesevisible markers 517,519 can be the same shape, or can be differentshapes. Moreover, still other shapes for these visible markers 517,519will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof this disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the redirection indicia can comprisedirectional signals 512. As shown at step 501, the finger of theauthorized user 401 has missed the fingerprint sensor 106 to the lowside. Accordingly, to assist the authorized user 410 in locating thefingerprint sensor 106 quickly and simply, the one or more processors(110) of the electronic device 100 present a directional signal 512 inthe form of an arrow pointing up to alert the authorized user 410 to thefact that the finger should be moved up to align with the area ofdisplay 120 situated atop the fingerprint sensor 106.

In one or more embodiments, the redirection indicia can comprisenavigational suggestions 513. These navigational instructions caninclude symbols, graphics, text, or a combination of one or more ofthese instructing where the touch input should be relocated so as toalign with the fingerprint sensor 106. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 5 , the navigational suggestions 513 comprise the words “movefinger up!” Other examples of navigational suggestions 513 will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the redirection indicia comprise one or moreimages 514 of the object causing the touch input to occur at display120, which in this example is the user's finger. Recall from above thatin one or more embodiments, the electronic device includes an imagecapture device 107 situated beneath, or beside, display 120. In one ormore embodiments, the image capture device 107 captures one or moreimages 514 with a field of view within which the authorized user'sfinger is located. The one or more processors (110) of the electronicdevice 100 can then superimpose and indication of the location of thefingerprint sensor 106, such as the visible marker 517 identifying thearea of display 120 concentrically located about axis 518, upon the oneor more images 514 and then present the modified images to theauthorized user 410 on display 105.

Where the redirection indicia comprise the one or more images 514, whichcan be any of still images, a series of still images, or video, suchredirection indicia serves as a virtual “x-ray window” that allows aperson to virtually look “through” the electronic device 100 todetermine where to position their finger to unlock display 105. Thisx-ray window provides instantaneous and accurate feedback with respectto touch interactions occurring on the display 120. When used inconjunction with the visible marker 517 identifying the area of display120 concentrically located about axis 518, it further indicates thetarget touch occurring on the display 120 by showing the same on thedisplay 105.

In one or more embodiments, the redirection indicia comprise a cursor515 that is concentrically located about axis 520. The cursor 515, whichcan be configured as a halo, a cross hair, a spyglass, a magnifyingglass, a visible indicator, or by other techniques, identifies where theauthorized user's finger is touching display 120.

In still another embodiment, the redirection indicia comprise ananimation 516. The animation 516 may take the form of a cartoon or othervideo snippet that instructs the authorized user 410 to move theirfinger upward so as to touch display 120 at a location collocated withthe fingerprint sensor 106. These examples of redirection indicia areillustrative only, as other examples will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Thus, as shown at step 507, when fingerprint data is received at an areaof display 120 that is off target from another area of display 120 thatis collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106, in one or moreembodiments the one or more processors (110) of the electronic device100 present redirection indicia identifying locations of both thefingerprint data and the fingerprint sensor 106 on display 105 so thatthe authorized user 410 can easily find the fingerprint sensor 106. Step507 advantageously presents redirection indicia on display 105 whendisplay 120 receives touch input missing an area of display 120 that iscollocated with the fingerprint sensor 106 while the first devicehousing 102 and the second device housing 103 are in the axiallydisplaced open position.

Moreover, it should be noted that in the illustrative embodiment of FIG.5 , the redirection indicia is presented upon display 105 while display105 remains in the locked mode of operation. Thus, while the redirectionindicia is visible, access to other content stored within the electronicdevice 100 or accessible by the electronic device 100 is precluded untildisplay 105 is unlocked or transitioned to the active mode of operation.

At decision 508, the one or more processors (110) of the electronicdevice 100 determine whether the finger has been successfully moved to alocation along display 120 that is collocated with the fingerprintsensor 106. Where it has not, the redirection indicia can be revised atstep 506 and presented anew at step 507.

Where the finger has become collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106,the one or more processors (110) may optionally deliver a verificationnotification to the authorized user 410 at step 509. The verificationnotification, like the redirection indicia, can take a variety of forms.Three examples are illustrated at step 509. Others will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the verification notification comprises aprompt 521 that is presented on display 105. In one or more embodiments,the prompt 521 is indicative of the finger successfully becomingcollocated with an area of display 120 that is atop the fingerprintsensor 106. In this illustrative example, the prompt 521 says, “Got it!”However, other examples of prompts will be obvious to those of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In another embodiment, the verification notification comprises anaudible output 522. The one or more processors (110) of the electronicdevice 100 may cause an audio output device, such as a loudspeaker, toplay a tone, chime, or music indicative of the finger successfullybecoming collocated with an area of display 120 that is atop thefingerprint sensor 106.

In still another embodiment, the verification notification comprises ahaptic output 523. The haptic output 523 can comprise a response thatthe authorized user 410 feels with their finger. Illustrating byexample, the haptic output 523 can be delivered as a “click” or “pop”that can be felt at display 120. A motion generation device situatedwithin the electronic device 100 can deliver the haptic output 523 at alocalized location in one or more embodiments.

As with the redirection indicia, the various verification notificationscan be used alone or in combination. For instance, in one or moreembodiments the one or more processors (110) will output a combinationof the prompt 521 and the haptic output 523 when the finger of theauthorized user 410 becomes collocated with the fingerprint sensor 106.Other configurations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of this disclosure.

At step 510, the fingerprint sensor 106 situated under display 120receives the fingerprint data while the electronic device 100 is in theaxially displaced open position. At step 510, the one or more processors(110) of the electronic device 100 authenticate the authorized user 410of the electronic device 100 using the fingerprint data. Thereafter, theone or more processors (110) can actuate the transparent organic lightemitting diode pixels or sub-pixels of display 120 that are situatedabove the fingerprint sensor 106, thereby causing them to again beginemitting light.

At step 511, the one or more processors unlock display 105 in responseto authenticating the authorized user 410 of the electronic device 100.Said differently, at step 511, the one or more processors (110) unlockdisplay 105 when the fingerprint sensor 106 situated beneath display 120receives fingerprint data authenticating the authorized user 410 of theelectronic device 100 while the first device housing 102 and the seconddevice housing 103 are in the axially displaced open position.

The way that the authorized user 410 is holding the electronic device100 in FIG. 5 illustrates another feature provided by embodiments of thedisclosure. As can be seen at step 501, when the electronic device 100is in the axially displaced open position it is highly likely that theauthorized user 410 will use their index finger to unlock display 105.To be sure, it would be awkward and difficult for the authorized user410 to reach the fingerprint sensor 106 with their thumb at step 501.With this in mind, embodiments of the disclosure can be configured toprioritize authenticating the authorized user 410 with the forefingerwhen the electronic device 100 is in the axially displaced openposition. One example of how this can occur is illustrated in FIG. 6 .

Turning now to FIG. 6 , illustrated therein is one explanatory method600 for more efficiently authenticating an authorized user of anelectronic device with a fingerprint sensor in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure. The method 600 of FIG. 6 prioritizesauthentication of a forefinger when the electronic device is in theaxially displaced open position, and allows for authentication toequally occur with a thumb, forefinger, or other finger when theelectronic device is in the closed position. While multiple fingers canbe used for authentication regardless of geometric form factor of theelectronic device, prioritizing the forefinger when the electronicdevice is in the axially displaced open position saves processor cyclesin the authentication process to provide a more instantaneousauthentication operation.

At step 601 and authorized user of the electronic device completes anenrollment process at the electronic device by delivering fingerprintdata to the fingerprint sensor so that the fingerprint data can becaptured and stored as one or more fingerprint data reference files inthe memory of the electronic device. In one or more embodiments, theauthorized user enrolls fingerprint data corresponding to at least twofingers at step 601. Illustrating by example, the authorized user mayfirst enroll a forefinger due to the fact that the forefinger is wellpositioned to deliver fingerprint data to the fingerprint sensor whenthe electronic device is in the axially displaced open position shown inFIGS. 4-5 above. The authorized user may then enroll fingerprint datafrom a second finger, such as a thumb, because the thumb canconveniently be used when the electronic device is in the closedposition of FIG. 3 and the authorized user is holding the electronicdevice with their fingers supporting the second device housing withtheir thumb placed on the first device housing. Additional fingers canbe enrolled at step 601 as well.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors navigate theauthorized user through the enrollment process at step 601. Illustratingby example, the authorized user may first be required to identifyhimself or herself as the authorized user by entering an authenticationcredential. The one or more processors may prompt for the authorizeduser to enter a passcode at step 601 for example. Other techniquesallowing for the authorized user to initially identify himself orherself as the authorized user of the electronic device will be obviousto those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

The one or more processors may then present a series of promptsinforming the authorized user how to enroll the at least two fingers atstep 601. In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors presenta message instructing the authorized user to first find the sensor,which is situated beneath a display that is continually exposedregardless of geometric form factor in one or more embodiments. Thisinstruction can include the presentation of redirection indicia aspreviously described. When the authorized user locates the fingerprintsensor, in one or more embodiments the one or more processors present averification notification as also described above.

Thereafter, the one or more processors may request that the authorizeduser place their finger atop a location of the exterior display multipletimes so that a sufficient amount of fingerprint data is captured to beused as a fingerprint reference data file. Accordingly, the one or moreprocessors may present a prompt instructing the authorized user to lifttheir finger and then again touch the location of the exterior displaysituated atop the fingerprint sensor multiple times. The one or moreprocessors may request that the authorized user move their fingerslightly. Once the enrollment process is complete, another verificationnotification may be presented informing the authorized user of the same.Other techniques for performing an enrollment process will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

At step 602, one or more sensors of the electronic device determine ageometric form factor of the electronic device. In one or moreembodiments, the one or more sensors of the electronic device determinethe geometric form factor while a finger is interacting with the displaypositioned above the fingerprint sensor.

At step 603, the fingerprint sensor receives fingerprint data. Decision604 then determines from the geometric form factor whether theelectronic device is in the axially displaced open position or in theclosed position. Where the electronic device is in the axially displacedopen position, the method 600 moves to step 605 where the forefinger isprioritized.

Since the authorized user enrolled at least two fingers at step 601, thememory of the electronic device stores a plurality of fingerprintreference data files. Illustrating by example, if the authorized userenrolls the thumb and forefinger at step 601, the memory will store aforefinger fingerprint reference data file and a thumb fingerprintreference data file. If the authorized user enrolls additional fingers,the memory will store additional fingerprint reference data files, andso forth.

At step 605, the one or more processors prioritize the forefinger bycomparing the fingerprint data received at step 603 with the forefingerfingerprint data reference file stored in the memory of the electronicdevice before comparing the fingerprint data to any other fingerprintreference data files stored in the memory whenever the first devicehousing and the second device housing are in the axially displaced openposition. Said differently, in one or more embodiments step 605comprises comparing the fingerprint data received at step 603 first tothe forefinger fingerprint reference data file. If the fingerprint datasubstantially matches the forefinger fingerprint reference data file, asdetermined at decision 606, the one or more processors unlock theinterior display. In one or more embodiments, this occurs when thefingerprint sensor situated beneath the exterior display receives thefingerprint data while the first device housing and the second devicehousing are in the axially displaced open position. Otherwise, themethod 600 moves to step 608 where additional fingerprint reference datafiles are compared to the fingerprint data until a match is determinedat step 611. If no match is ever made, the electronic device and itsdisplays remain locked at step 613. The one or more processors canoptionally prompt for an alternate authentication credential at step 613in one or more embodiments.

In contrast to this prioritization of the forefinger occurring when theelectronic device is in the axially displaced open position, when theelectronic device is in the closed position multiple fingers can equallybe used to authenticate the authorized user. While this is ultimatelytrue as well in the axially displaced open position, the left side ofthe method 600 of FIG. 6 uses additional processor cycles, therebymaking it slower than the right side of the method 600 of FIG. 6 .

To wit, when the electronic device is in the closed position, anadditional step of identifying the type of fingerprint data occurs atstep 609. The one or more processors analyze the fingerprint data todetermine which finger provided the same at decision 610. Using a thumband forefinger as an illustrative example, if decision 610 determinesthe finger supplying the fingerprint data is a thumb, this fingerprintdata is compared to a thumb fingerprint reference data file at step 608to determine if it substantially matches the same. By contrast, if theif decision 610 determines the finger supplying the fingerprint data isa forefinger, this fingerprint data is compared to a forefingerfingerprint reference data file at step 608 to determine if itsubstantially matches the same. If a match is made, the exterior displayis unlocked at step 607. If no match is ever made, the electronic deviceand its displays remain locked at step 613. The one or more processorscan optionally prompt for an alternate authentication credential at step613 in one or more embodiments.

Accordingly, to streamline and make the process of user authenticationmore efficient, the method 600 of FIG. 6 authenticate the authorizeduser of the electronic device by comparing the fingerprint data to aforefinger fingerprint reference data file before any other fingerprintreference data files when the electronic device is in the axiallydisplaced open position. By contrast, an additional determination ofwhich finger is being used occurs when the electronic device is in theclosed position in one or more embodiments due to the fact that thedifference between the probability of the authorized user using a thumbor forefinger (or another finger) is smaller when the electronic deviceis in the closed position than when the electronic device is in theaxially displaced open position.

To this point, explanatory embodiments of the disclosure have providedan electronic device comprising a first device housing that is pivotablerelative to a second device housing between a closed position and anaxially displaced open position. The electronic device includes a firstdisplay that is coupled to the first device housing, with the firstdisplay being exposed both when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing are in the closed position and when the first devicehousing and the second device housing are in the axially displaced openposition. A fingerprint sensor is situated beneath the first display.

The electronic device used for illustrative explanation has included asecond display that is coupled to the first device housing. The seconddisplay is concealed when the first device housing and the second devicehousing are in the closed position and revealed when the first devicehousing pivots relative to the second device housing to the axiallydisplaced open position. With the inclusion of these two displays, oneor more processors of the electronic device unlock the second displaywhen the fingerprint sensor situated beneath the first display receivesfingerprint data authenticating an authorized user of the electronicdevice while the first device housing and the second device housing arein the axially displaced open position.

It should be noted that the electronic device could be configured innumerous other ways as well and still offer the benefits and featuresdescribed herein. Turning to FIG. 7 , illustrated therein is onealternative electronic device configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

As mentioned above, however, not all electronic devices configured inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure employ flexible displays.FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment where the flexible display. As shownin FIG. 7 , an electronic device 700 includes a first device housing 702and a second device housing 703. A hinge 701 couples the first devicehousing 702 to the second device housing 703. The first device housing702 is pivotable about the hinge 701 relative to the second devicehousing 703 between an axially displaced open position and a closedposition, as previously described.

Rather than having a flexible display, in this embodiment the electronicdevice 700 includes a first display 705 coupled to the first devicehousing 702 and a second display 706 coupled to the second devicehousing 703. Thus, in addition to separating the first device housing702 from the second device housing 703, the hinge 701 separates thefirst display 705 from the second display 706 as well.

The unlocking process described above where a fingerprint sensorsituated beneath one display unlocks another display when the electronicdevice 700 is in the axially displaced open position can be used withthe electronic device 700 of FIG. 7 . If, for example, the fingerprintsensor is positioned beneath the first display 705, in one or moreembodiments it can be used to unlock the second display 706. The one ormore processors of the electronic device 700 can unlock the seconddisplay 706 when the fingerprint sensor situated beneath the firstdisplay 705 receives fingerprint data authenticating an authorized userof the electronic device 700 while the first device housing 702 and thesecond device housing 703 are in the axially displaced open position. Ifthe configuration is reversed, with the fingerprint sensor situatedunder the second display 706, the opposite can occur with fingerprintdata delivered to the fingerprint sensor through the second display 706unlocking the first display 705, and so forth. Other configurations ofelectronic devices suitable for use with the unlocking techniquespresented herein will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 8 , illustrated therein are various embodiments ofthe disclosure. The embodiments of FIG. 8 are shown as labeled boxes inFIG. 8 due to the fact that the individual components of theseembodiments have been illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1-7 , which precedeFIG. 8 . Accordingly, since these items have previously been illustratedand described, their repeated illustration is no longer essential for aproper understanding of these embodiments. Thus, the embodiments areshown as labeled boxes.

At 801, a method in an electronic device comprises detecting a geometricform factor of the electronic device with one or more sensors. At 801,the method comprises receiving fingerprint data with a fingerprintsensor situated beneath a first display of the electronic device.

At 801, the method comprises authenticating an authorized user of theelectronic device using the fingerprint data with one or moreprocessors. At 801, the method comprises selecting between the firstdisplay of the electronic device and a second display of the electronicdevice as a function of the geometric form factor and unlocking theselected display in response to authenticating the authorized user ofthe electronic device.

At 802, the first display of 801 is exposed in all geometric formfactors of the electronic device and the second display is concealed inat least one geometric form factor of the electronic device. At 803, theelectronic device of 802 comprises a first device housing that ispivotable relative to a second device housing between a closed positionand an axially displaced open position. At 803, the selecting occurringat 802 between the first display of the electronic device and the seconddisplay of the electronic device comprises selecting the first displaywhen the first device housing and the second device housing are pivotedto the closed position. At 804, the unlocking the selected display of803 comprises unlocking the first display without unlocking the seconddisplay.

At 805, the electronic device of 802 comprises a first device housingthat is pivotable relative to a second device housing between a closedposition and an axially displaced open position. At 805, the selectingbetween the first display of the electronic device and the seconddisplay of the electronic device of 802 comprises selecting the seconddisplay when the first device housing and the second device housing arepivoted to the axially displaced open position. At 806, the unlockingoccurring at 805 comprises unlocking the second display withoutunlocking the first display.

At 807, the method of 805 further comprises detecting, with the firstdisplay, touch input missing an area of the first display collocatedwith the fingerprint sensor when the first device housing and the seconddevice housing are in the axially displaced open position and presentingon the second display, with the one or more processors, redirectionindicia directing the touch input toward the area of the first displaycollocated with the fingerprint sensor.

At 808, the redirection indicia of 807 comprises a visible markeridentifying an area of the second display concentrically located aboutan axis passing orthogonally through the first device housing with thearea of the first display collocated with the fingerprint sensor. At809, the redirection indicia of 808 further comprises another visiblemarker identifying another area of the second display concentricallylocated about another axis passing orthogonally through the first devicehousing collocated with the touch input. At 810, the redirection indiciaof 808 further comprise one or more images of an object causing thetouch input at the first display.

At 811, the authenticating of the authorized user of the electronicdevice occurring at 805 comprises comparing the fingerprint data with aforefinger fingerprint data reference file stored in a memory of theelectronic device before comparing the fingerprint data to any otherfingerprint reference data files stored in the memory whenever the firstdevice housing and the second device housing are in the axiallydisplaced open position.

At 812, an electronic device comprises a first device housing that ispivotable relative to a second device housing between a closed positionand an axially displaced open position. At 812, the electronic devicecomprises a first display that is coupled to the first device housing.At 812, the first display is exposed both when the first device housingand the second device housing are in the closed position and when thefirst device housing and the second device housing are in the axiallydisplaced open position. At 812, a fingerprint sensor is situatedbeneath the first display.

At 812, the electronic device comprises a second display that is coupledto the first device housing. At 812, the second display is concealedwhen the first device housing and the second device housing are in theclosed position and revealed when the first device housing pivotsrelative to the second device housing to the axially displaced openposition.

At 812, one or more processors of the electronic device unlock thesecond display when the fingerprint sensor situated beneath the firstdisplay receives fingerprint data authenticating an authorized user ofthe electronic device while the first device housing and the seconddevice housing are in the axially displaced open position.

At 813, the one or more processors of 812 unlock the first display whenthe first device housing and the second device housing are in the closedposition and the fingerprint sensor situated beneath the first displayreceives the fingerprint data authenticating the authorized user of theelectronic device.

At 814, the one or more processors of 812 present redirection indicia onthe second display when the first display receives touch input missingan area of the first display collocated with the fingerprint sensorwhile the first device housing and the second device housing are in theaxially displaced open position.

At 815, the electronic device of 814 further comprises an imager coupledto a major face of the first device housing to which the first displayis coupled. At 815, the redirection indicia comprise one or more imagescaptured by the imager.

At 816, the electronic device of 812 further comprises a memory operablewith the one or more processors. At 816, the memory stores a pluralityof fingerprint reference data files.

At 816, the one or more processors unlock the second display when thefingerprint data substantially matches a forefinger fingerprintreference data file when the fingerprint sensor situated beneath thefirst display receives the fingerprint data while the first devicehousing and the second device housing are in the axially displaced openposition.

At 817, a method in an electronic device comprises detecting a lockedstate of the electronic device with one or more processors. At 817, themethod comprises detecting a first device housing of the electronicdevice pivoting relative to a second device housing of the electronicdevice from a closed position to an axially displaced open position.

At 817, the method comprises receiving, while the electronic device isin the axially displaced open position, fingerprint data with afingerprint sensor situated beneath a first display of the electronicdevice that is exposed when the electronic device is in the closedposition. At 817, the method comprises authenticating an authorized userof the electronic device using the fingerprint data with the one or moreprocessors and unlocking, while the electronic device is in the axiallydisplaced open position, a second display that is revealed when thefirst device housing pivots relative to the second device housing fromthe closed position to the axially displaced open position in responseto authenticating the authorized user of the electronic device.

At 818, the method of 817 comprises the one or more processorspresenting redirection indicia on the second display when thefingerprint data is received at an area of the first display that is offtarget from another area of the first display that is collocated withthe fingerprint sensor. At 819, the redirection indicia of 818 identifylocations of both the area and the other area of the first display onthe second display. At 820, the method of 817 comprises the one or moreprocessors authenticating the authorized user of the electronic deviceby comparing the fingerprint data to a forefinger fingerprint referencedata file before any other fingerprint reference data files when theelectronic device is in the axially displaced open position.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forthin the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the disclosurehave been illustrated and described, it is clear that the disclosure isnot so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the following claims.

Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method in an electronic device, the methodcomprising: receiving fingerprint data with a fingerprint sensor;authenticating the fingerprint data with one or more processors;selecting between a first display of the electronic device and a seconddisplay of the electronic device as a function of a geometric formfactor of the electronic device; and unlocking the selected display inresponse to authenticating the fingerprint data.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is situated beneath the first displayof the electronic device.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprisingdetecting, with the first display, touch input missing an area of thefirst display collocated with the fingerprint sensor and presenting onthe second display, with the one or more processors, redirectionindicia.
 4. The method of claim 3, the redirection indicia directing thetouch input toward the area of the first display collocated with thefingerprint sensor.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first displayis exposed in all geometric form factors of the electronic device. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the second display is concealed in atleast one geometric form factor of the electronic device.
 7. The methodof claim 1, the selecting between the first display of the electronicdevice and the second display of the electronic device comprisingselecting the first display when the geometric form factor comprises aclosed position.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the unlocking theselected display comprises unlocking the first display without unlockingthe second display.
 9. The method of claim 1, the selecting between thefirst display of the electronic device and the second display of theelectronic device comprising selecting the second display when thegeometric form factor comprises an axially displaced open position. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating the fingerprint datacomprises comparing the fingerprint data with a forefinger fingerprintdata reference file stored in a memory of the electronic device.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the comparing of the fingerprint data withthe forefinger fingerprint data reference file occurs before comparingthe fingerprint data to any other fingerprint reference data filesstored in the memory.
 12. An electronic device, comprising: a firstdisplay that is exposed when the electronic device is in either a closedposition or an axially displaced open position; a fingerprint sensor; asecond display that is concealed when the electronic device is in theclosed position and revealed when the electronic device is in theaxially displaced open position; and one or more processors unlockingthe second display when the fingerprint sensor receives fingerprint dataauthenticating a user of the electronic device while the electronicdevice is in the axially displaced open position.
 13. The electronicdevice of claim 12, the one or more processors unlocking the firstdisplay when the fingerprint sensor receives the fingerprint dataauthenticating the user of the electronic device while the electronicdevice is in the closed position.
 14. The electronic device of claim 12,the one or more processors presenting redirection indicia on the seconddisplay when the fingerprint data misses the fingerprint sensor.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 14, further comprising an imager, wherein theredirection indicia comprises one or more images captured by the imager.16. The electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a memoryoperable with the one or more processors and storing a plurality offingerprint reference data files comprising at least a forefingerfingerprint reference data file and a thumb fingerprint reference datafile.
 17. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising:detecting a first device housing of the electronic device pivotingrelative to a second device housing of the electronic device from aclosed position to an axially displaced open position; receiving, whilethe electronic device is in the axially displaced open position,fingerprint data with a fingerprint sensor collocated with a firstdisplay of the electronic device; authenticating the fingerprint datawith one or more processors; and unlocking, while the electronic deviceis in the axially displaced open position, a second display of theelectronic device in response to authenticating the fingerprint data.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first display of the electronicdevice is exposed when the electronic device is in the closed position.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second display is revealed whenthe first device housing pivots relative to the second device housingfrom the closed position to the axially displaced open position.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the fingerprint sensor is situated beneaththe first display.